The Agony and the Ecstasy
by Carol Reed
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Alberto Lupo, Charlton Heston, Diane Cilento, Harry Andrews, Rex HarrisonDirector: Carol Reed
Brand: HESTON/HARRISON
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; Latin (Original Language); English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 138 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-02-22
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Movie Reviews of The Agony and the Ecstasy
Movie Review: A sculptor who didn't want to paint
Summary: 5 Stars
Based on Irving Stone's novel, this film gives us a somewhat fictionalized account of the professional relations between Pope Julius II and Michaelangelo. They don't make movies like this anymore. It begins with a short historical introduction, focusing on the work of the artist. Several of Michaelangelo's sculptures are featured. The extraordinary life-like detail of his statuary in marble is incredible. Even more astounding, is the fact that he carved some of these masterworks at the age of 17!
Having explored a number of museums in the past, and remembering some of the truly laughable excuses for "modern art" submitted for our perusal, I had to ask myself: How many modern "artists", in our modern age, would be capable of emulating such work? In fact, how many 17 year olds, in our time, could/would aspire to even attempt such works? Oh, how far Western art has fallen...
The story commences as Michaelangelo, primarily a sculptor, is commissioned (coerced) into the vast project of painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Disgruntled and initially un-inspired by the Pope's original concept, Michaelangelo flees Rome, and the Pope sends forth his soldiers to arrest him.
However, while hiding in the mountains, Mike finds his inspiration, and returns to his client with an even better plan for the ceiling...
Summary of The Agony and the Ecstasy
Charlton Heston and Rex Harrison portray two of the Renaissance's most colorful figures in this historical drama based on Irving Stone's best-seller set in the early 16th century. When Pope Julius ll (Harrison) commissions Michelangelo (Heston) to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the artist initially refuses. Virtually forced to do the job by Julius, he later destroys his own work and flees to Rome. Eventually resumed, the project becomes a battle of wills fueled by artistic and temperamental differences that form the core of this movie. Nominated for an Oscar? Cinematography and named one of the year's best films by the National Board of Review.Carol Reed (The Third Man) directed this 1965 portrait of the relationship between Michelangelo (Charlton Heston) and Pope Julius II (Rex Harrison), who commissioned the artist to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Based on a novel by Irving Stone, the script plods along, juggling the dynamics between the two men along with a somewhat perfunctory love story and distracting battle sequences. Reed seems more attuned to the nuances and great pains of the artistic process, as seen in sequences of Michelangelo working. But the overall focus of the film is unfortunately fuzzy. --Tom Keogh
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